OROQUIETA, Misamis Occidental (PIA) -- Aiming to bolster school health and nutrition programs, the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Department of Education (DOH) and the province of Misamis Occidental, launched the "Healthy Learning Institutions" (HLIs) initiative at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center on Friday.   
This initiative aims to promote healthy learning environments to ensure learners' safety and health.

The multi-sectoral program seeks to enhance the health and well-being of learners and personnel in schools by establishing standards for healthy learning institutions and providing technical or financial support for the integration of school health initiatives. 

Gov. Henry Oaminal emphasized that the province's activities focus on the youth, aiming to transform not only geographically disadvantaged barangays but also to cultivate civilized and well-educated youth in the province. He provided the learners with P1,000 each, as well as food packs. 

Dr. Sulpicio Henry Legaspi, director of the Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao, highlighted the crucial role of learning institutions in championing the health of learners. 

He emphasized that Misamis Occidental is fortunate to have prioritized health service provision and readiness under Oaminal's leadership. The Healthy Learning Institution initiative will particularly focus on adolescent health. 

"Swerte ta kay naa ta sa Misamis Occidental kay gihimong prioridad sa atong Governor ang paghatag ug pag-ready sa mga health services nga mahimong kinahanglan nato sa umaabot ug karon sa Healthy Learning Institution will be giving emphasis, especially sa adolescent health,’’ he said. 

On behalf of DepEd-10 Regional Director Dr. Arturo Bayocot, Assistant Regional Director Dr. Federico P. Martin expressed their commitment to ensuring that schools become settings for healthy promotion. He outlined the six pillars of a health-promoting school and pledged to strengthen schools' Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd services in collaboration with the DOH. 

“We commit to strengthening our school's Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd services to the Healthy Learning Institution together with the DOH to implement these health promotion efforts in the whole Misamis Occidental,” he said. 

The initiative identified ten Last Mile Elementary Schools (LMES) in Misamis Occidental as its beneficiaries. These schools include Singalat Elementary School in Calamba, Roxas Elementary School in Aloran, Durias Elementary School in Bonifacio, Naburos Elementary School in Baliangao, Manla Integrated School in Sapang Dalaga, Marugang Elementary School in Conception, Gala Elementary School in Tudela, Canibungan Putol Elementary School in Clarin North, Lake Duminagat Elementary School in Don Victoriano, and Alberto Dulalas Elementary School in Lopez Jaena. 

These schools will receive support to implement a variety of health and nutrition programs, including school feeding programs, handwashing and hand hygiene, medical, dental, and nursing services, and school mental health programs. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)